Senate Minority Leader Don Caruth says a July 1 meeting on raising tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike is designed to minimize opposition, and he says Gov. Joe Manchin is responsible.

The Parkways, Economic Development and Tourism Authority will meet at the Charleston Civic Center to consider raising tolls for passenger vehicles from $1.25 to $2 and for large trucks from $4.25 to $6.75.

Caruth says holding the meeting in Charleston will reduce turnout from residents in southern counties who oppose the proposed increase.

The Mercer County Republican says Manchin is behind the push for the increase, which the governor denies.

Manchin says Caruth shouldn't bring politics into the discussion. He says the authority's members will decide on their own whether tolls should go up.